Posted on 08/20/2005 12:11:11 AM PDT by Lexinom
Yes, and using the same logic, environmentalism is also a religion, the endorsement of which is also unconstitutional.
Very nice catch; I missed that. See, they acknowledge truth and logic, neither of which are subject to emperical observation but rather antecedent. That alone disqualifies atheism, as they can offer no answer to these transcendental arguments other than to say "they just are". The Creator is the great "I AM". See it?
Right! Earth-worship, Gaia-worship, etc.
If they are teaching positive doctrine (part of a system of thought), rather than naysaying both theistic (God-centered) and humanistic (man-centered) religion, it would seem so. But to do that would undermine their whole premise.
From the article:
The Supreme Court has said a religion need not be based on a belief in the existence of a supreme being. In the 1961 case of Torcaso v. Watkins, the court described "secular humanism" as a religion
Atheism is a belief, not an act. It is a faith of things unprovable. Ergo ; it is a faith, a religious view.
I have long held that any belief concerning the after-life is a religious belief.
The First Amendment is clear on this issue. Now the courts have paved the way for some sanity in these separation of church and state suits.
Hmmm...I wonder what these slimy jackaassses
would say if someone said their religion was
called Judgehangery?
:o)
You know, probably, that the whole concept of separation has been perverted from its original intent, in which the state could not impose a state religion, like Anglicanism or Catholicism, nor forbid its free exercise. Nowhere did the founders give any indication that mere theism consitituted a religion.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . "
This has been bludgeoned into an unofficial state endorsement of secular humanism, a distinct worldview with man as the highest power. You and I are forced to fund the wide dissemination of its presuppositions whether we agree with them or not because, Toracaso v Watkins notwithstanding, it has managed to sneak under the "religion" radar. The current case is still cause for some optimism though.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Thought this might interest you.
so if you worship nothing, no one, you have your own religion?
Sad to say, I'm one of those who gave silent endorsement to the ascendancy of secular humanism. Years ago I scoffed at what I believed were the semi-paranoid rants of some of my more zealously religious friends. Sure looks like they were right.
My skepticism was based on the belief history, tradition and good sense would keep secular humanism checked at the level of tolerance and fairness. Turns out, all those things were and are used against us.
I'm hopeful the tide has crested and is now receding.
I think so. That is the religion they are trying to promote.
If atheism is a religion, then bald is a hair color.
About damned time.
While I have a great deal of sympathy for those who are quietly, personally atheistic (who say, simply, "I believe in no gods")... I have a great deal of antipathy for those who are loudly, abrasively, stridently, militantly Atheistic (who go well beyond reason to assert "There ARE no gods, and if you believe otherwise you are an idiot undeserving of a public voice").
These latter have made a mill of using the "I'm offended" card, churning out ludicrous suits and court rulings attacking the Christian foundation of this Republic, and in effect instituting the establishment of a State religion of Atheistic Secularism.
This new ruling may prove of use in ending these shenanigans.
About DAMNED time, too.
small-a "atheism" is no religion, being a personal statement of belief.
big-A "Atheism" - the declaration as fact that there are no gods - is well beyond what any rational or evidentiary/empirical process can support. In this wise, it passes from personal belief into the realm of DOGMATIC FAITH. That makes it a religion.
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